Islamabad, Jan 24: The Cabinet Committee on Rightsizing of the Federal Government convened today under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Muhammad Aurangzeb, who joined the meeting virtually from Davos, Switzerland.
The Revenue Division updated the committee on recent actions to streamline operations. These include abolishing 158 positions (BS-18 and below) and designating 27 posts (BS-16 to 20) as “dying posts.” The Cabinet made these decisions on August 27, 2024, to optimize government functions.
Addressing the challenges faced by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Revenue Division proposed a one-time exemption from the requirement to abolish 60 percent of vacant posts within its field formations. The presentation focused on the ongoing transformation of the FBR, with a particular emphasis on modernizing the Customs Department.
This transformation plan, approved by the Prime Minister on September 19, 2024, aims to enhance operational efficiency through the adoption of automation and technological innovations such as the Faceless Customs Assessment and Examination system.
Acknowledging the hurdles faced by the FBR due to years of under-investment, Minister Aurangzeb stressed the importance of embracing technology and automation to improve efficiency and enhance service delivery within the department. He noted that these changes are crucial to meet the evolving demands of the public and business community.
The meeting also featured a comprehensive overview from the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety, detailing its mandates, organizational structures, budgets, and expenditure patterns.
While the ministry has made significant progress, the Minister pointed out that its fragmented approach across different departments has hindered its ability to scale up its impact on public policy and service delivery.
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In light of these challenges, the committee Chair urged for a more unified and integrated approach. A sub-committee has been tasked with conducting a detailed review of both the Revenue Division and the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety to assess their structure, functions, and operational efficiencies.
The goal is to identify areas for improvement, ensuring better public service outcomes and more effective public policies.
The meeting concluded with a directive for further follow-up to ensure the implementation of rightsizing measures that guarantee sustainable and efficient government functions.
